In its first collaboration with a U.S. company, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced it will launch Google’s Sky Box imaging satellite for advanced GPS mapping by the end of the year.
ISRO will launch Google satellite
In its first collaboration with a U.S. company, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced it will launch Google’s Sky Box imaging satellite for advanced GPS mapping by the end of the year.
ISRO successfully launched a Geosynchronous Satellite launch vehicle in December of 2014.
Google recently acquired Sky Box Imaging to develop its own GPS mapping solution using a network of 180 satellites.
Google acquired Sky Box after it had signed a contract with ISRO. Sky Box was a Stanford University start up with two satellites already in orbit.
The launch is scheduled for the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh and the Sky Box satellite will be launched alongside one of India’s own satellites.
Google reportedly plans to use high-resolution images from Sky Box for better earth imaging. The process is expected to enhance real-time images on Google Maps and other Google products.
Google plans to launch some 180 micro satellites into Earth’s orbit.
Sky Box plans to have a fleet of 24 satellites in service by 2018 and will have imaging of the entire earth available for the company.
Sky Box executives hope to offer their data to outside developers which could lead to a variety of new services for business.
Enhanced satellite images from Sky Box have a wide range of commercial applications.
